Cold or not, going to Dunedin for the Rugby World Cup was one of the best decisions of my life. Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Workload: Much lighter than at UT. The biggest difference was that you were not expected to do homeworks, take quizzes, etc. It's very common to just have one or two short (5-10) page papers that are worth 15-30%, and then a huge final worth 70-80%. So, it's a big change from UT where most of my classes just had 4-5 test/paper each worth anywhere from 15-35%. Grading System: This was the bomb. An "A" in NZ is 85 and up. If you're doing pass/fail, you only have to get a 50 in order to get a "Pass" on your UT transcript. Differences: As a generalization, the quality of prof at UT is much better than Otago. Obviously there are definite exceptions to that. Also, the NORM is not to go to class since you are rarely tested or graded before finals weeks. That said, the level of "drive" and competition is much lower in NZ than in the US. If you are used to studying, putting in your time, taking notes, etc., be prepared to be WAY over-prepared for Otago. On the plus side, it also means that you probably won't have much of a problem doing well in your classes if that's your goal.

On-site administration of your program

They were pretty on the ball. No real issues with implementation of the program.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in "Uniflats", and it was the best decision I made. I had the option to stay in the dorms, but I decided to stay in a student flat on Leith Street. The place was basically a big complex of 8 flats with 4-6 students each. Each flat had a "Kiwi-host" and the rest were international students from all over. My flat happened to be 3 American, 1 Scot, and then the Kiwi-host from Auckland. Other flats had Germans, Spaniards, Dutchmen, and people from all over. It was tons of fun, we had some raging parties, we played sport together at nearby Logan Park, and a whole lot more. It was a 5 minute walk from class, 5 minutes from the grocery store. It was a pretty long 20-30 minute walk to The Octagon (their bar area), and it was a pain to have to walk back from there at 4 or 5 AM, especially if it was cold. I'm not huge on clubs though, so the nearby bar (The Baa) was more than enough for me. It's also 5-10 minutes from The Cook (freshman bar). Kitchen stuff was all included. I rented a bedding package from Uniflats, but you can always buy your own stuff from the local thrift shops if you want. (I say rent, that way you just pack your stuff up when you're gonna leave and turn it in).

You cook or buy your own food. I will say this: food is CRAZY expensive. Granted, near UT things like meat, poultry, and dairy are pretty cheap, so the change was bigger for me than others from areas like NY or up north where groceries are more expensive regardless. Keep in mind that NZ is an EXPORT based country, so even things like dairy and lamb that they produce in bulk are all shipped away, and are more expensive to buy their. Any type of protein (except eggs) is expensive, alcohol is taxed like mad so it's also crazy expensive (NZ$25-30) for a 24-pack of crappy light beer or 1L of cheap liquor, and even local vegetables are pretty pricey. Pro note: GO TO THE FARMER'S MARKET ON SATURDAYS AT THE TRAIN STATION. Cheap produce, meat that's actually worth what you pay, and the best meat pies I've ever had.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Rugby World Cup (any rugby in general. The country is rugby crazy, and it's ALWAYS on TV, being played by students in the fields nearby, in the papers, etc.) I took a road trip with some fellow international students all over the South Island. For $800 bucks you can spend a week on the road, spend the night in a new place every night, eat decently, and even have alcohol to drink. Definitely make it to Abel Tasman to kayak in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Also hit up Milford Sound, the Moeraki Boulders, the Pancake Rocks, and too many other places to remember.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The insurance was through Vero, so you have to fill out a form, provide receipts, mail it, then wait around for a few weeks for any kind of medication/visit claim. Kind of a pain in the ass. Safety was covered by SOS, so you had a number to call from anywhere if you needed help. Never needed to use it, so no idea how effective it is.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

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• Other

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• Americans
• International Students
• Local Students

• The rugby and the eco-tourism

• Maybe offer some pre-packaged travel options